Safety equipment container

ABSTRACT

A safety equipment container ( 10 ) comprising a buoyant body ( 12 ) having internal storage for one or more items of safety equipment. A first connector ( 34 ) is secured to the body and a second connector ( 36 ) is securable to a surface on a vessel. The second connector ( 36 ) includes a channel member ( 44 ) having a downwardly extending opening and the first connector ( 34 ) comprises a protrusion ( 60 ) on the body ( 12 ) receivable in the opening such that, when submerged, the buoyancy of the body ( 12 ) causes the body ( 12 ) to rise upwardly relative to the second connector ( 36 ) and disengage from the second connector ( 36 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a safety equipment container for holding safety equipment used on watercraft.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Watercraft generally require various items to be used in event of emergency. For example, flares and Emergency Position Indicator Beacons (EPIRBs) are often mandatory for certain craft operating more than a specific distance from shore.

While it may be required to carry such equipment, there is no requirement as to how this equipment must be stored in the vessel. It is common, for example, for flares to simply be placed in a box or drawer on the vessel. This can result in the flares being difficult to easily access in the event of an emergency. In the case where a vessel sinks relatively quickly, the risk exists that such safety equipment could sink with the vessel and therefore not be available for use.

The present invention relates to a container provided for storage of safety equipment such as flares and EPIRBs in a manner that provides easy access to the equipment in the event of an emergency. The container includes features provided to allow release from the vessel in an emergency situation as well as features provided to improve the chances of rescue of the occupants of the vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety equipment container comprising:

a buoyant body having internal storage for one or more items of safety equipment;

a first connector secured to the body; and

a second connector securable to a surface on a vessel, the second connector being attachable to the first connector to secure the body to the vessel;

wherein the second connector includes a channel member having a downwardly extending opening and the first connector comprises a protrusion on the body receivable in the opening such that, when submerged, the buoyancy of the body causes the body to rise upwardly relative to the second connector and disengage from the second connector.

Preferably the first connector comprises a cylindrical protrusion on a side surface of the body having a groove provided around the periphery thereof and the channel member comprises a plate member supported parallel and in front of a connection plate, the plate member including a slot extending downwardly from an upper edge thereof such that the groove of the protrusion is received within the slot.

Preferably the protrusion is rotatable relative to the channel member such that the body is rotatable relative to the surface on which the second connector is mounted.

In a preferred embodiment, the body includes a removable lid at a first end thereof.

Preferably there is provided an internal chamber in the body adjacent a remote second end thereof and one or more holes through which water can enter the internal chamber such that the water in the internal chamber weights the body to float with the first end uppermost.

In a preferred embodiment, the body is formed of a buoyant core secured within a rigid outer casing and the internal chamber is provided between the outer casing and the core adjacent the second end of the body.

Preferably there are provided a plurality of holes in a side of the outer casing generally between the first and second ends thereof.

In one embodiment, the outer casing includes a circular aperture in a first end thereof which is arranged about a circular recess in the core and wherein there is provided a plurality of cavities extending downwardly into the material of the core from within the recess towards a second end of the body for receiving items of safety equipment.

In one embodiment, there is provided a central cavity provided for receiving an EPIRB and a plurality of second cavities located around the central cavity each being generally cylindrical in shape for receiving a flare.

The aperture in the outer casing preferably includes a ring secured therein having an internal thread to engage with an external thread provided on the lid.

In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a groove around the periphery of the body adjacent the lid and a cord secured at a first end thereof to the body wrapped into the groove.

Preferably the cord includes a loop at a second end thereof and is covered with a breakable coating such that the cord may be pulled away from the groove with the application of sufficient force.

In one embodiment, the lid is provided with an upper handle thereon to allow gripping and rotation of the lid. A flashing light is preferably provided on the lid, the light being activated by contact with water.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing includes lower handles extending outwardly from the second end thereof.

Preferably there is provided a pair of lower handles, each of the lower handles being generally U-shaped, thereby each defining an opening through which the lower handle can be grasped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is an upper perspective view of safety equipment container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a front view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 a is a top view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1 with the lid removed;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1 with the safety equipment removed;

FIG. 5 a is a top view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 b is a front view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 c is a side cross sectional view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 5 b through the line C-C;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 a is a side view of the safety equipment container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 b is a close up view of the connectors of the safety equipment container;

FIG. 8 a is a side view of the safety equipment container showing an alternative method of securing the second connector; and

FIG. 8 b is a close up view of the first and second connectors of FIG. 8 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a safety equipment container 10 comprising a body 12 having a removable lid 14. The body 12 is constructed of a buoyant material such that the body 12 will float if placed in water.

The body 12 is formed of a core 15 (as shown in FIG. 6) of a buoyant material secured within a rigid outer casing 16. The core 15 may be formed of a suitable foam material. The outer casing 16 may be formed of a suitable plastics material. The outer casing 16 is formed in two halves which are securable together around the body 12 by securing screws 26. The inner surface of the outer casing 16 is complementary in shape to the outer surface of the body 12 such that the outer casing 16 engages around the outer surface of the core 15. The outer casing 16 is provided to give impact resistance to the safety equipment container 10.

The outer casing 16 includes a circular aperture 19 in a first end thereof which is arranged about a circular recess 20 in the core 15. When the outer casing 16 is secured about the core 15, the recess 20 in the core 15 is accessible through the aperture 19 in the outer casing 16.

The outer casing 16 includes a neck 18 provided around the aperture 19. Within the aperture 19 is provided an internal thread 22. In the embodiment shown, the internal thread 22 is provided on a separate ring 24 which is secured within the aperture 19 around the recess 20. The ring 24 is provided such that the internal thread thereof engages with an external thread provided on the lid 14. The ring 24 may be formed into the core 15 during moulding of the core 15. The lid 14 is provided with an upper handle 70 thereon to allow gripping and rotation of the lid 14.

Accessible through the recess 20 in the body 12 there is provided a plurality of cavities 28. The cavities 28 are provided extending downwardly into the material of the core 15 from within the recess 20 towards a second end 23 of the body 12.

In the embodiment shown, there is provided a central cavity 30. The central cavity 30 is provided such that central cavity 30 tapers inwardly in shape towards the second end 23 of the body 12. The central cavity 30 is provided for receiving an EPIRB 31, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

There is also provided in the embodiment shown a plurality of second cavities 32 located around the central cavity 30. Each of the second cavities 32 is generally cylindrical in shape. Each of the second cavities 32 is provided for receiving a flare 33, as can be seen in FIG. 3. A further cavity 35 may be provided in a shape suitable for receiving a mobile phone.

There is also provided an internal chamber in the body 12 adjacent the second end 23 thereof. The internal chamber is provided between the outer casing 16 and the core 15. As best seen in FIG. 6, the core 15 adjacent the second end 23 is narrower than the width of the outer casing 16 adjacent the second end 23. The space between the outer surface of the core 15 and the inner surface of the outer casing 16 therefore defines the internal chamber.

The outer casing 16 is provided also with one or more holes 25 therein. The holes 25 extend through the outer casing 16 into the internal chamber. In the embodiment shown, the outer casing 16 includes a plurality of the holes 25 in a side thereof generally between the first and second ends 21 and 23. The holes 25 allow water to flow into the internal chamber to provide ballast adjacent the second end 23 of the body 12. The body 12 will therefore float in an upright position, with the first end 21 uppermost, when in the water.

The body 12 is provided with a first connector 34 secured to the outer surface of the outer casing 16. The safety equipment container 10 is also provided with a second connector 36 which is securable to a surface in a vessel on which the safety equipment container 10 is to be used. The first connector 34 is attachable to the second connector 36 such that the safety equipment container 10 is supported from the surface of the vessel. The first and second connectors 34 and 36 are arranged such that when the safety equipment container 10 is submersed in water, the first connector 34 will disengage from the second connector 36 to release the safety equipment container 10 from the vessel.

The first connector 34 comprises a protrusion 60 provided on the outer surface of the outer casing 16. In embodiment shown, the protrusion is cylindrical. The protrusion 60 is provided on a side surface of the body 12 between the first and second ends 21 and 23 thereof. The protrusion 60 includes a groove 62 provided around the periphery thereof.

The second connector 36 comprises a connection plate 42 to which is secured a channel member 44. The connection plate 42 is provided to be securable to a surface within a vessel. The channel member 44 comprises a plate member 45 supported parallel to and in front of the connection plate 42 such that a downwardly extending opening is provided into which is received the distal end of the protrusion 60.

The plate member 45 includes also a slot 47 extending downwardly from an upper edge thereof. The width of the slot 47 is narrower than the outer diameter of the cylindrical protrusion 60 but greater than the diameter of the cylindrical protrusion 60 at the groove 62. The cylindrical protrusion 60 may therefore be received downwardly into the channel member 44 with the groove 62 received in the slot 47. As can be seen, first connectors 34 may be provided on opposite sides of the outer casing 16 to allow mounting in two different configurations. The first connector 34 may be formed integrally with outer casing 16

The cylindrical shape of the first connector 34 allows rotation of the first connector 34 in the channel member 44. The body 12 is also weighted such that it will tend to rotate within the channel member 44 to remain in an upright position. Due to the buoyancy of the body 12, should the body 12 be submersed in water, the body 12 will rise upwardly such that the cylindrical protrusion 60 moves up and out of the channel member 44, thereby disengaging the safety equipment container 10 from the vessel.

The neck 18 around the aperture 19 includes a groove 46 around the periphery thereof. The groove 46 is provided to receive a cord 48, which is wound into the groove 46. The cord 48 is attached at a first end thereof to the body 12 and includes a loop at a second end thereof which may be placed around a wrist to hold on to the safety equipment container 10. The cord 48 may be wound into the groove 46 and covered with a breakable coating, such as a wax coating. The breakable coating is provided to hold the cord 48 in place but the cord 48 may be pulled away from the groove 46 with the application of sufficient force.

A flashing light 50 is provided on the lid 14. The light 50 is secured to an upper surface of the lid 14 and is activated by contact with water such that, should the safety equipment container 10 enter the water, the light 50 will turn on to aid in location of the safety equipment container 10. A tether 52 is also preferably provided for securing items of safety equipment within the body 12. The tether 52 in the embodiment shown connects from to a point inside the recess 20 to an item of safety equipment within the body 12, such as the EPIRB 31. In the embodiment shown, the first end of the tether 52 connects to the ring 24.

The outer casing 16 includes also lower handles 66 extending outwardly from the second end 23 thereof. In the embodiment shown, there is provided a pair of lower handles 66, each of the lower handles provided adjacent an opposite side of the body 12. The lower handles 66 are U-shaped, thereby each defining an opening 68. The safety equipment container 10 may therefore stand on the lower handles 66 but may also be grasped by the lower handles 66 when in the water to allow the safety equipment container 10 to act as a flotation device.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative mounting method for the safety equipment container 10. In this embodiment, the connection plate 42 is provided with elongate clamp members 64. The elongate clamp members 64 may be secured around a railing on the vessel in order to secure the safety equipment container 10 in place.

In use, the safety equipment container 10 is secured to a surface within a vessel by mounting the second connector 36 to a surface of the vessel and then engaging the first connector 34 with the second connector 36. Should the vessel begin to sink, the body 12 will rise with the water, detaching the first connector 34 from the second connector 36. In this way, the safety equipment container 10 will automatically release itself from the vessel, thus reducing the likelihood the safety equipment will sink with the vessel.

Also, as the body has a generally cylindrical shape, the likelihood is reduced that the safety equipment container 10 will catch on any part of the vessel instead of floating freely to the surface.

Once disengaged from the vessel, the weighted nature of the body 12 will ensure that the safety equipment container 10 remains floating with the lid 14 upright. This will ensure that the EPIRB is operating in the optimal upright position.

Any people on the boat entering the water when the boat sinks may then retrieve the safety equipment container 10 and detach the cord 48 which can be looped around their wrist. Flares may be accessed by removal of the lid 14 and the light 50 will automatically activate to further increase the chances of the person being located. The safety equipment container 10 may also be gripped by the lower handles 66 to provide a flotation device.

The arrangement of the mounting of the safety equipment container 10 also allows easy detachment in the event the device is required without the vessel itself being in distress. For example, in the case of a person falling overboard, the safety equipment container 10 may simply be pulled upward from the mounting and thrown to the person in the water. That person will then have both a flotation device to hold onto, as well as access to the location equipment in the container.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
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 17. A safety equipment container comprising: a buoyant body having internal storage for one or more items of safety equipment; a first connector secured to the body; and a second connector securable to a surface on a vessel, the second connector being attachable to the first connector to secure the body to the vessel; wherein the second connector includes a channel member haying a downwardly extending opening and the first connector comprises a protrusion on the body receivable in the opening such that, when submerged, the buoyancy of the body causes the body to rise upwardly relative to the second connector and disengage from the second connector.
 18. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 17, wherein the first connector comprises a cylindrical protrusion on a side surface of the body having a groove provided around the periphery thereof and the channel member comprises a plate member supported parallel and in front of a connection plate, the plate member including a slot extending downwardly from an upper edge thereof such that the groove of the protrusion is received within the slot.
 19. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 18, wherein the protrusion is rotatable relative to the channel member such that the body is rotatable relative to the surface on which the second connector is mounted.
 20. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 19, wherein the body includes a removable lid at a first end thereof.
 21. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 20, wherein there is provided an internal chamber in the body adjacent a remote second end thereof and one or more holes through which water can enter the internal chamber such that the water in the internal chamber weights the body to float with the first end uppermost.
 22. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 21, wherein the body is formed of a buoyant core secured within a rigid outer casing and the internal chamber is provided between the outer casing and the core adjacent the second end of the body.
 23. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 22, wherein there are provided a plurality of holes in a side of the outer casing generally between the first and second ends thereof.
 24. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 23, wherein the outer casing includes a circular aperture in a first end thereof which is arranged about a circular recess in the core and wherein there is provided a plurality of cavities extending downwardly into the material of the core from within the recess towards a second end of the body for receiving items of safety equipment.
 25. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 24, wherein there is provided a central cavity provided for receiving an EPIRB and a plurality of second cavities located around the central cavity each being generally cylindrical in shape for receiving a flare.
 26. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 25, wherein the aperture in the outer casing includes a ring secured therein having an internal thread to engage with an external thread provided on the lid.
 27. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 26, wherein there is provided a groove around the periphery of the body adjacent the lid and a cord secured at a first end thereof to the body wrapped into the groove.
 28. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 27, wherein the cord includes a loop at a second end thereof and is covered with a breakable coating such that the cord may be pulled away from the groove with the application of sufficient force.
 29. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 28, wherein the lid is provided with an upper handle thereon to allow gripping and rotation of the lid.
 30. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 29, wherein a flashing light is provided on the lid, the light being activated by contact with water.
 31. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 30, wherein the outer casing includes lower handles extending outwardly from the second end thereof.
 32. A safety equipment container in accordance with claim 31, wherein there is provided a pair of lower handles, each of the lower handles being generally U-shaped, thereby each defining an opening through which the lower handle can be grasped. 